Indian Journal of Drugs in Dermatology

CASE REPORT
Year
: 2019  |  Volume : 5  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 38--41

Thalidomide-induced leukocytoclastic vasculitis in leprosy


Vasudha Abhijit Belgaumkar, Pallavi Prataprao Patil, Ravindranath Brahmadeo Chavan, Prernaa R Suryataley 
 Department of Dermatology, B.J. Government Medical College and Sassoon General Hospitals, Pune, Maharashtra, India

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Pallavi Prataprao Patil
Department of Dermatology, B.J. Government Medical College and Sassoon General Hospitals, Pune, Maharashtra
India

Thalidomide has become the gold standard for the treatment of erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) within a few decades of its serendipitous discovery for this condition. It has also demonstrated efficacy in dermatoses such as recalcitrant oral aphthae, prurigo nodularis, and pyoderma gangrenosum. Despite a good safety profile, thalidomide is known to cause side effects such as sedation, constipation, peripheral neuropathy, and thromboembolism. Although rare and anecdotal, adverse cutaneous drug reactions (ACDRs) have been reported. Both thalidomide and its newer analogs have been implicated for maculopapular, urticaria-angioedema, Steven–Johnson-like, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and acneiform eruptions. Only a few cases of leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) occurring in patients of multiple myeloma on this drug have been described till date. However, this unusual presentation of ACDR due to thalidomide in leprosy has not been hitherto documented. Herein, we describe a patient of lepromatous leprosy with ENL who developed thalidomide-induced LCV and discuss myriad aspects such as immunopathogenesis with emphasis on the possible role of various cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.


How to cite this article:
Belgaumkar VA, Patil PP, Chavan RB, Suryataley PR. Thalidomide-induced leukocytoclastic vasculitis in leprosy.Indian J Drugs Dermatol 2019;5:38-41


How to cite this URL:
Belgaumkar VA, Patil PP, Chavan RB, Suryataley PR. Thalidomide-induced leukocytoclastic vasculitis in leprosy. Indian J Drugs Dermatol [serial online] 2019 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];5:38-41
Available from: https://www.ijdd.in/article.asp?issn=2455-3972;year=2019;volume=5;issue=1;spage=38;epage=41;aulast=Belgaumkar;type=0